Hard and fast is the only way for dedicated young winger

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Bureta Faraimo of the Eels runs in a try during the round 21 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Parramatta Eels at Remondis Stadium on August 2, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Renee McKay/Getty Images)

For all intents and purposes, the kick looked like another meek end to a set of six.

The kick came from Eels halfback Chris Sandow in the 47th minute of the Eels' 28-22 win against Newcastle.

Trailing 14-12, Sandow grubbered behind the Knights defence and the ball appeared destined to be cleaned up.

Then bounce, bounce . . . and a big bounce later and Bureta Faraimo swooped on the ball to score.

It was rather fitting Faraimo was the chaser because he only knows one way to play the game: hard and fast.

It's an approach that stems from his overall rugby league philosophy.

"I play every game like it is my last game," the softly spoken winger said. "I just try to run the ball as hard as I can every time I run."

His big charges and high work rate has been his trademark since his two-try debut against the Sharks last year.

His third try at the weekend helped the Eels snap a two-game losing streak and improve their record to three wins and four losses.

All you need to know about Faraimo, a standout for the USA Tomahawks in the 2013 World Cup, is this. In a game where the halfbacks, fullbacks and hookers have a mortgage on major awards, Faraimo won the NSW Cup player of the year last season.

A winger and a major award? Yes, it happened — and for good reason.

Faraimo led almost every attacking statistic in the NSW Cup in 2014 including tries, line breaks and tackle breaks.

It led to his NRL debut in his first year in the big smoke after being plucked from the Queensland Cup to the USA's World Cup squad before the Eels secured his signature.

WREXHAM, WALES - NOVEMBER 03: Bureta Faraimo of USA during the Rugby League World Cup Group D match between Wales and USA at the Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium on November 3, 2013 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Bureta Faraimo

Last week the Eels re-signed the winger alongside fellow outside backs John Folau and Brad Takairangi. His new deal will see him in the blue and gold to the end of 2016.

"I'm really glad to stay here," Faraimo said.

"I've been training hard and playing good for Wenty and being rewarded into first grade was a dream come true. Overall I just try and be better than I was the week before."